Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria could be the latest big name player on his way to China, with reports in France linking the Argentina international with a move to the Chinese Super League.
French publication L’Equipe have reported that Angel Di Maria is unsettled at PSG, and is now looking for a move away from the Ligue 1 champions. His agent Jorge Mendes has established contact with several clubs in the Chinese Super League and a January transfer to China could be on the cards.
If the Argentine moves to China, he will be the latest in a long list of players who have headed East in big money deals, with lucrative contracts on offer. The move would follow the recent trend of Chinese clubs spending astronomical amounts to land big name players from European clubs.
Chinese Super League clubs have spent close to £200 million since last year, and Di Maria’s link to China comes in the aftermath of Oscar’s £60 million move to Shanghai SIPG and rumours of two Chinese clubs willing to offer £700,000 per week to Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, among others.
PSG have flattered to deceive in their defence of the Ligue 1 title in Unai Emery’s first season in charge at the Parc des Princes, as they sit five points adrift of surprise leaders OGC Nice. Di Maria in particular has been disappointing for Les Parisiens, having scored just once in 15 outings in the French league this season.
Reports in France have also hinted that the former Manchester United and Real Madrid attacker could be facing the axe from Emery’s first team if his struggles continue. This would open up the door to a move away from Paris, and China could well be a viable option.
L’Equipe have been very vague about the rumoured contacts that have been made between Mendes and the Chinese clubs. For now though, it will be interesting to see if Di Maria chooses to move to the Asian nation while he’s still at the peak of his professional career.